Sheet-feeding machine



April 17, 1928. 1,666,165

C. E. CHRISTOPHEL SHEET FEEDING MACHI Filed March 14, 1925 6Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS April 17, 1928. 1,666,165

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C. E. CHRISTOPHEL SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed March 4,

April 17, 1928.

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Filed March 14, 1925 6 SheetsSheet 6 ATTORNEYS a M m! fl 25.5%. @UWEEEE?Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE.

CAR-L E. GHRISTOPHEL, OF PEARL RIVER, NEW YORK, AQSIG'NOR TO DEXTERFOLDER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION NEW' YORK.

SHEET-FEEDING MACHINE.

Application filed March 14, 1925. Serial No. 15,641.

The present invention is an improvement in sheet-feeding machines, andthe princi pal object of the invention is to provide a device of theclass described which will distribute sheets from a commonpile or acommon point in a plurality of directions. In the particular embodimentof the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, the inventiveidea is applied to a device for separating sheets from a common pileinto a plurality, here shown as three, separate piles.

Aside from this field of usefulness, it is pointed out that theinvention is available to feed successive sheets from a support to anydesired paper-handling mechanism or mechanisms, such as presses, foldersor the like, or any arrangement or combination of such mechanisms, andthat the sheet-s to be fed or distributed might be delivered eithermanually or automatically onto the common support, from which they arethereafter fed or distributed, one at a time or in groups from anysuitable source.

The invention is also available in connection with the inspection andsorting of paper stock and the like, as by the means employed the sheetscould be comprehensively enamined as each is distributed.

The invention is particularly effective in connection with theseparation of sheets of bank notes, money and the like in connectionwith which each two sheets of money or banknotes are separated from theadjacent sheets by what is known as a slip-sheet. As a sheet isdelivered from the press it is placed with the wet printed face down,for example, and the next sheet with the printed face up. A slip-sheetis then placed on the uppermost printed face and the operationcontinued, with the result that a slipsheet is interposed between theadjacent wet printed surfaces of the sheets. This results in a pilebeing made up of sheets of money and slipsheets, two sheets of money,then a slip-sheet, two more sheetsof money, then a slip-sheet and so onuntil a pile of a thousand or more sheets is built. Accordingly, the twodry faces of adjacent sheets will be in contact. The usual procedurewhich has been followed in the subsequent separation of the money andthe sli 3-Sl186lIS has been to manually separate the same. This hasrequired large force of operators and a large amount of floor space.

The invention, in one aspect, resides broadly in the provision of meansfor distributing sects from a common point in a plurality of directions,either to receivers or to suitable paper-handling mechanism. Morespecifically, it resides in the provision of a plurality of receivers,preferably symmetrically spaced on three sides of a pile of money andslip-sheets, and the provision of means for successively removing thesheets from the common pile and distributing them in their appropriatereceivers. This insures the expeditious and automatic separation of themoney and the slip-sheets, with a minimum of operators and floor space.This automatic separation preserves the slipsheets from the injury whichis usually the result of manual separation.

In another aspect the invention resides in the particular separating andconveying means which are employed in the separation and transfer of thesheets.

Other features will be hereinafter pointed out and embodied in theclaims.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings illustrating one embodiment of the inventive idea and in whichFig. l is a perspective view of the improved device;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation with some of the parts removed, showingparticularly the course of the air control;

Fig. 4 is a verticalelevation illustratin the pile governor mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail elevation looking from the front with oneof the sections removed;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view with parts 9 broken away, showingparticularly the drive mechanism, cam actions and pile elevatingmechanism;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic indication showing the manner in which thesheets are dispile into the sev- Figs. and 11 are details of one form ofsheetseparating and conveying mechanism, Fig. 10 showing the edge of thesheet being sparated and Fig. 11 the sheet in position to be delivered.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate likeparts, it will be observed that three receivers 10, 11 and 12 (Figs. 1and 2) are "provided into which are distributed the sheets from a composite pile of sheets of money and slip sheets, for example, carried onan elevator 14. The several mechanisms for separating the sheets anddeliyering them into the receivers are operated successively in timedrelation and in any desired sequence. As here shown, these separatingand transferring mechaiiisms are driven from a common source. Anelectric motor 15 mounted on a base 16 drives a stub-shaft 17 by meansof a sprocket chain 18 passing around a pinion 19 on the armature shaftand around a pinion 20 on the shaft 17. The shaft 17 is mounted inbearings in the frame of the machine and is provided on one end with ahand-wheel 21. This shaft carries a worm 22 that meshes with a worm gear23 keyed to a shaft 24. Compounded with the worm gear 23 is a spur gear25 that meshes with an idler pinion 26 mounted on a stub-shaft 27, whichpinion 26 in turn meshes with a pinion 28 keyed on a shaft 29 mounted insuitable bearings in the frame of the machine and arranged parallel withthe shaft 24.

The shaft 24 is provided with a pair of cams, one of which 30 controlsthe joggerboard of one of the receivers and the other of which, 31,controls the air to one of the separating and conveying devices. Theshaft 29 carries a plurality of feed rollers 32 that project through abase plate 33 (Fig. 7) and engage the under surface of the sheet beingfed. A. belt 34 is preferably provided to assist in the feeding of thesheets, this belt passing around one of the rollers 32 and around anidler roller 35. The sheet is engaged on its upper face by a pluralityof rollers 36 which are carried in arms '37 mounted loosely on a sleeve38 (Fig. 9) carried by fixed shaft 39, mounted in sutable bearing 40 and41. This sleeve 38 is adapted to be oscillated, and this oscillatorymovement acts to raise and lower its associated sheet-separatingmechanism and to reciprocate the same from the pile toward one of thereceivers and back again.

The tube 38 is oscillated from a cam 42 formed on the inner surface ofthe gear 25 (Figs. 1 and 6). An arm 43 pivoted to the frame of themachine at 43 carries in one end a roller 44, and its other end isconnected at 45 to one extremity of a link 46, the other extremity ofwhich is connected to the free end of an arm 47 fixed to the tube 38.The sleeve 38 (see particularly Figs. 8 and 9) has keyed thereto asecond arm 48 to the free end of which is secured one end of a link 49.The other end of this link is pivoted at 50 to a carriage 51 that isrcciprocated on a track or way 52 fiiziedly mounted on the shaft 39 bymeans a bracket 53 through which passes a set F. '4 that or the shaft39. This bracket also loosely engages the sleeve 38, at which point itis provided with a lug 56 to which the track way bolted or otherwisesecured.

The separating and transferring device is indicated generally at 57. Ashere shown the device of the suction variety, though in certain aspectsthe invention is not limited to any particular form of sheetseparatingand transferrii'ig devices. The separating and transferring device ashere shown is recin'oc'ated with the carriage 51 and suitable means areprovided for raising and lowering said device with respect to the pileof sheets in orderto separate the sheets and tranfer and deliver thesame. As here shown each sheet separating and transferring device 57 israised and lowered by means of an arm 58 pivoted at 59 to the carriage51 and provided at its free end with a fork 60 that engages the undersurface or a nut '61 that is adjustable longitudinally of the device 57.The arm 58 also carries a roller 62 that engages and rides upon one endof the link 49 provided with a cam surface As shown in Fig. 8, when theroller 62 engages the high part of the cam surface the device 57 iselevated and when the roller 62 engages the low part of the cam surface63 (Fig. 9) the device 51 is lowered.

The sheet-separating and transferring device 57 for each receiver, ashere shown. preferably utilizes a pair of suckers 64 and 65. Thesesuckers preferably comnnu'iiczite with common pipe 66 (Fig. 8) which inturn communicates with a suitable suction device 67 g. 1). The sucker ispreferably of the collapsible type shown in my Patent No. 1,475,621,dated November 27, 1923, and operates to separate the sheet when suctionis applied, the sucker under these conditions telescoping intoengagement with its as sociated casing 68. The sucker 65 is carried by amember that telescopes into the casing 68. The sucker 65 as ittelescopes into the casi g 68 acts to separate the forward edge of thetopmost sheet and the suckers 64 and 65 are then elevated to completethe separation of the sheet. Fixed to the member 70 at 71 is a short armT2 which is pivoted to the lower end of a link 73 provided with a slot74 in which engages pin 75 carried by the carriage 51. l i hen thesuction is applied the member 70 antoi'r itically telescopes into thecasing 68 rai ing .suc er and separating the forward end of loo thesheet. Thereupon the sucker 64 is ele vated by the action of the camsurface 63 to the height of the sucker 65. The extent of the elevationof the sucker 65 is limited by the lower end of the slot 74 engaging thepin 75, and accordingly the sheet which is seized by the suckers 64 and65 is straightened into a position substantially horizontal with thepile and in position to be effectively and properly delivered into itsappropriate receiver. In other words, the first efi'ect of the upwardmovement of'the sucker 65 is to bend the forward edge of the sheet at anangle to the body of the sheet, but whenthe lowerend of the slot 7dengages the pin the upper arcuate movement of the sucker 65 is stopped.Thereafter, as the separating device 57 as a whole is elevated thecasing 68, which forms a part thereof, will also be elevated and thecasing 68 will be moved up wardly, thus separating the casing from themember 70 and maintaining the sucker mouth elevated. above the sheetpile but parallel therewith (Fig. 11). hen the 1 separatingdevice 57 asa whole is in its elcvated position, the mouth of the sucker Gel will bein substantially the same horizontal plane as the mouth of the sucker65. The upward movement of the suction device 57 guided by a bracket 7 6that is mounted on the carriage 51. The transfer of the sheet to deliverthe same into its appropriate receiver is then effected by theoscillation of the tube 38 to the position shown in Fig. 8. W'hen theparts reach the position shown in Fig. 8 the suction is relieved and thesheet is accordingly delivered under the action of the lower rollers 32and the upper rollers 36 and 37.

It will be understood that there is a suction connection to each of thesheet-separating and transferring devices, three valves belng employedand each of them being controlled by a cam similar to the cam 31 (Fig.6). As shown in that figure, the cam 31 engages a roller 77 carried onone end of a slotted arm 78, the lower end of which is connected to theplunger 79 provided with an orifice 80 (Fig. 3) which is adapated toregister with a passage 81 in the valve casing 82. This casing isconnected to one end of a tube 83, the other end of which is connectedto a pipe 84, the ends of which open into a cored section of the frameof the machine at 85 and 86. A pipe 87 connects to the cored section 85and the other end of this pipe is connected to a pipe 88 that taps thepump 67. A relief valve 89, may be and preferably is employed.

On the other side of the valve casing 82 and registering with thepassage 81. therein is a tube 90 which connects at one end with a coredsection 91 of the frame, a tube 92.

end to the whole sheet-separating and trans ferring device 57. It willbe understood from the foregoing that when the roller 77 engages the lowportion of the cam 31 the valve plunger will be'lowered to permitsuction to be applied thru the described connections and that when theroller 77 engages the high part of the cam 81 the suction will becutoff,

Duplicate suction connections are associated with the cored sections 85and 86 as heretofore described in connection with the tube 82L, so thatthe suction is applied and relieved in the same manner through the samemeans with the exception that the other cams corresponding to cam 31 arearranged to properly time the sequence of operations, thev suction beingapplied to the several sheetseparating and transferringdevices 57successively and in timed relation.

Inorder to keep the separated sheets in the several receivers 10, 11 and12 properly piled and straightened movable sides or jogger-boards 93,94C and 95 (Fig. 1) are provided. As each sheet is delivered theseboards are opened or separated, and after the delivery the boards areclosed or reeach of which is mounted on one end of a rod 104: carried inbrackets 105 on the under side of the receiver. The rod 104 and thecones 102 and 103 are forced toward the position shown in Fig. 2 bymeans of spring 106, one end of which engages-a collar 107 fixed to therod 104;, theother end of the spring 100 engaging a bearing 108 throughwhich the rod loosely passes. Through the connections described theboards 93, 9 1 and 95 will be periodically and simultaneously opened andclosed. The boards 93, 94: and 95 are adjustably mounted on theirrespective rods in any suitable manner, slots 109 being provided inthebottom of the receivers to permit of movement of the boards.

In order to prevent the delivered sheets from becoming displaced and toinsure holding of the same in orderly piles in the receiver, Ipreferably employ a yielding tongue 110 that engages the top of each ofthe piles in the receiver. As here shown, this tongue isof flexiblematerialone end of which is secured to the stationary bracket 53 and thefree end of which projects through a vertical slot 111 in the forwardjogger-board 9d.

The elevator 14- on which the sheet pile is 132 with which the pawl 130coop will carried is automatically maintained its proper height by meansof any suitable mechanism. As here shown, a governor roller 112 iscarried in one end of an arm 113, the other end of which is carried by ashaft 114. The arm 113 is periodically raised and lowered by means of acam 11:) operating through a link 116, which latter carries a roller 117that engages the cam 115, said link being also connected to the arm 113at 118 at a point between the shaft 114 and the roller 112. The shaft 11carries an adjusting device 119 that bears against a finger 120 mountedon a shaft 121. This finger is provided with a notch 122 that liesnormally in the path of one arm 123 of a lever pivoted on a stub-shaft12%, the other arm of said lever carrying a roller 125 that engages acam 126 carried on shaft Preferably integrally formed with the lever123125 is a third arm 12'? to which connected the upper end of a link1255, the lower end of which is connected to a pawl 129 pivoted on. aswinging bra 130 loosely mounted on elevator Sllfl" are carried by thiselevator shaft is a ratchet "hcel which ratchet 132 is fixedly monntefshaft 131. Encircling the sh 1 ad car-- ried by the frame is a supportthat car-- ries a pin 13 1- that carries a second pawl 135 that preventsrearward rotation of the ratchet wheel 132. Carried by shaft 131 are apair of pinions 136, each of which engag a corresponding rack 137 formedon the front of the elevator brackets. The shaft 131 may be rotated by ahandle 138 to manually raise or lower the pile support. Before operatingthe device manually, however, to lower the same, a plate 139 mounted onshaft 131 is rotated by hand. This plate is provided on its inside (asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 6) with a pair of cam surfaces 14s) and141 which are adapted to engage roller 142 on pawl 129 and roller 1 1-3on pawl 135. These cams act to raise the pawls 129 and 135 out ofengagement with the ratchet wheel to permit the ready lowering of thepile support. The automatic positioning of the pile is effected throughthe governor mechanism described. It will be observed that, if thegovernor roller 112 lowers by reason of the fact that the top of thepile is below a predetermined height, the finger 120 will be moved tothe left as shown in Fig. 6, out of the path of lug 123,-thus permittingthe cam roller 125 to follow the drop of the cam 126 which permits thepawl to move back a distance of one or more teeth. Thereafter, when thehigh part of the cam 126 engages the roller 125 the arm 12? will bepositively rocked in a clockwise direction thus pulling up on the link123, causing a rotation of the shaft 131 through the medium of pawl 129.This rotation of said memes shaft through the pinion and rackconnections 126137 will raise the pile to the predetermined height.VVhen the pile is its proper predetermined height, the notch 122 of thefinger 120 will be in the path of movement of the lug 123, thuspreventing actuation of the automatic raising mechanism.

It will be understood that the mechanism for separating and transferringthe sheets is the same for each of the three receivers. Referring toFig. 1, a gear is mounted on a shaft 24 that is driven from shaft 2 1through bevel gearing, and the cam on this gear 25 operates to actuatethe sheet-separating and transferring mechanism associated with tnereceiver 12 in the same manner as heretofore described. The shaft 29corresponds to shaft 29 and is driven from shaft 21 through pinions 28and 26. The shaft 2 1 arries a cam similar to cam 30 on shaft 24: foroperating the jogger-boards of receiver Sleeve 38 corresponds to sleeve38 and is connected to a similar set of mechanisms as heretoforedescribed in connection with sleeve 38. As clearly shown in Fig. 6,shaft 21- drives shaft 2% through bevel gears 1 11-, 1&5, this shaft 24:carrying cam 30 to operate the jogger-boards of section 10, and am 31 tooperate the suction control for section 10. The cam 126 is mounted on astub'shaft 1 16 mounted in suitable hearings in the frame of themachine, and carrying at one end a bevel gear 147 that meshes with bevelgear 14% on shaft 24".

In view of the fact that the mechanism associated with one of thereceivers has been described in detail, it is unnecessary to duplicatethe description with respect to the identical mechanisms associated withthe other receivers. t is sutlicient to say that the mechanism common tothe several receivers and the mechanism associated with the receiver 11are indicated by the unprimed numerals, that the mechanism associatedwith the second receiver 12 is indicated by the primed numerals, andthat the mechanism associated with the third receiver 10 is indicated bythe double primed numerals; and that the parts indicated by the primedor double primed numerals are the same as the parts originally describedand indicated by the unprimed numerals.

The pile being at the predetermined height and the sheets being arrangedwith each two sheets of money separated by a single slip-sheet, and thetop sheet being, for example, a slip-sheet, the forwarder 57 will firstremove the slip-sheet A. (Fig. 7 The forwarder 5'! will then remove asheetof money 13 and the forwarder 57 will then remove asheet of moneyC, and thereafter the sheets will be removed in this order because ofthe fact that the cams 31, 31 and 31 controlling the suction are set tooperate in sequence, and the cams carried by the gears 25, 25 and 25controlling the sheetforwarding devices are likewise so set.

It has been experienced that a pile of a thousand. sheets of money withthe interposed slip-sheets is so unstable and what might be called.spongy that when the suckers 64: and of one of the forwarders engage thetop sheet on one side of the pile, the whole opposite side of the pilewill be tilted up or elevated. It has therefore been found desirable inorder that the suckers 64: and 65may engage the sheet in a uniformmanner, and in order that the top of the pile may be in proper positionfor the topmost sheet to be fed off into its respective receiver, toprovide means in, association with the suckers to brace the pile and torestore it after such displacement to a normal condition. I haveaccordingly provided a pair of positioning fingers 1 18 and 149 whichare carried by a crossrod 150 that carried by a collar 151 on theforwarder. These fingers may be adjusted in any desired manner by meansof adjusting sleeves 152 and 153. The lower horizontal reaches of thesefingers 148 and 149 lie in approximately the same horizontal plane asthat of the suckers 64. and

65, and as the suckers 6-4 and 65 are lowered onto the top of the pile,the fingers 148 and 149 also engage the top of the pile and hold thesame in a uniform level condition, so, that the suckers will surely andpositively engage the topmost sheet. 7

Under these conditions the operation of the suckers 64: and 65 on thesheets is illustratedin Figs. 10 and 11, wherein it is seen that thesucker 65 first operates to remove the topmost sheet from under thespring clip 15% and to bend it at an angleto the sucker 64 which has notyet been elevated. As the forwarder as a whole is elevated, the sucker64L is raised to the position shown in Fig. 11 and accordingly thesucker 65 is forced to assume the position shown in Fig. 11, at whichtime the forward edge of the sheet is parallel with the pile and inposition to be accurately and positively delivered. by the forwarderbetween the delivery rollers.

The same operation is effected on the remainder of the sheets, first aslip-sheet, for example, being delivered, then a sheet of money, thenthe second sheet of money, and then the slinsheet.

The automatic separation of the money and slip-sheets aifords for thefirst time. so

tar as I am aware, an automatic mechanism for performing this functionwhich has heretofore always been performed manually; and the device notonly performs the work of several operators but effects large economieswith respectt to floor space and handling.

The arrangement of the several devices angularly with respect to eachother enables each of the sheet delivery mechanisms: to be operated atthe samespeed, and in view of the fact that each of the separated sheetstravels only the same short distance from the common pile into thevarious receivers,

the sheets are separated and delivered at a very high speed and withgreat e'liiciency.

A further advantage that is secured by the arrangement of the severalsets of sheetseparating and delivering mechanisms angularly with respectto each other is that a very high speed of separation can be attainedwhile the individual mechanisms are operating at a comparatively slowspeed. F or example, if the sheets were being separated at the rate of120 per minute on a straight line machine which separated the severalsheets by means of switches, the de livery means would have to operateat 120 per minute. Each successive sheet would have to be "fedcompletely from the pile before the next sheet could be engaged by theseparating and ,itorwarding mechanism. With the present device it isonly necessary, in order to separate the sheets at the rate of 120 perminute, that each separating and forwarding mechanism should operate atthe rate of 4L0 per minute. It will further be seenby reference to Fig.7 that, after one of the mechanisms has operated, the second separatingand forwarding mechanism will engage the sheet when the previous sheethas only been displaced slightly more than half way oil of the pile. Theparticular arrange ment. therefore, of the separating and sheetforwarding mechanism angularly about the pile insures a speed ofseparation not attainable with any other device.

In the drawings the invention is shown as embodied in a machine providedwith three receivers, but it will be understood that the same might beembodied in a machine provided with four receivers arranged about thecommon pile, or in one having two receivers arranged at opposite pointswith respects to thepile; and that the sheets may be delivered into thereceivers in any desired sequence, it being necessary inthis connec tiontoadjust the cams to control such opera tion.

While for the purpose of illustration one expression of the inventiveidea. is shown and described in detail, it will. be understood that theinvention is suscept-ible of various other uses and mechanicalexpressions within the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is J 1. In a device of the character described, thecombination of a plurality of receivers angularly. disposed withrelation to each other, and means for successively delivering sheetsfrom a common pile into said receivers. I p 2. In a device of thecharacter described, combination of a lurality at receivers,

and means for feeding successive sheets from a common pile in differentdirections into said receivers.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a pilesupport, a plurality of sheet delivery mechanisms arranged above saidpile support, means for operating said sheet-delivery mechanismssuccessively to deliver sheets from said pile in different angulardirections, and a plurality of receivers into which the delivered sheetsare deposited.

45. In a device of the character describec, the combination or a pilesupport, means for automatically maintaining the height of the pile at apredetermined level, a plurality of sheet delivery devices arrangedangularly with respect to each other, a sheet receiver associated witheach device, and means for operating said devices successively todeliver successive sheets into the several receivers.

5.. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheetsupport, a plurality of sheet receiving means angularly disposed withrespect to each other, and means for successively delivering sheets fromsaid sheet support to said sheet receiving means.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of aplurality or sheet handling or. receiving means, a. common support fromwhich sheets are fed to said means, and means for feeding successivesheets from said support in different directions to said means.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a sheetsupport, a plurality of sheet delivery mechanisms arranged above saidsupport, means for operating said sheet-delivering mechanismssuccessively to deliver sheets from said support in diiierent angulardirections, and a plurality of sheet handling or receiving means towhich the sheets are delivered.

8. The combination with a plurality of sheet receivers angularly relatedto each other, of means for successively delivering sheets from a commonpile into the receivers and comprising a corresponding number ofmechanisms each consisting of a pair of suction mouths one of whichoperates to elevate the. edge of the sheet from the pile and both ofwhich operate to transfer the sheet from the ile into one of saidreceivers- 9. The combination with a plurality of sheet receivers, of acorresponding number of combinedsheet. separators and forwarders forsuccessively delivering sheets from a common pile alternately to saidreceivers, each combined separator and forwarder comprising a pair ofsuction mouths having a common source of suction, one of said. mouthsacting as a sheet separator and both of the mouths acting as a sheetconveyor for carrying the sheet to one oi": said receivers.

10. The combination with a pile support and a plurality of sheetreceivers disposed adjacent the sides of said pile support, of acorresponding number of mechanisms for forwarding sheets successivelyfrom the pile to the receivers, and means associated with each"forwarding mechanism and bearing on the pile at both sides of saidmechanism to maintain the pile in a predetermined. position.

11. The combination with a pile support and a plurality of sheetreceivers disposed adjacent the sides of said support, ot acorresponding number oi? devices for ranst'erring successive sheets fromthe top of the pile alternately to said receiver, means for successivelyraising and lowering said devices, and means carried by each device andbearing on the pile at both sides of said device to maintain the pile ina predetermined position.

12. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a sheet delivery mechanism. comprising a part o'lsuction mouths, one of which operates to elevate the edge of the sheetfrom the pile and both of which operate to transfer the sheet from thepile. 13. In a device of the character described, a combined sheetseparator and forwarder comprising a pair of suction mouths having acommon source of suction, one said mouths acting as a sheet separatorand both of said mouths acting as a sheet conveyor.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheetsupport, a receptacle into which the sheets ar fed, a sheet separatorand forwarder device adapted to be moved vertically and horizontally, apair of suckers constituting part of said device one of which acts toseparate the edge of the topmost sheet from the top of: the pile, andboth of which act to initiate the delivery movement of the same, andmeans adapted to. be automatically lowered onto the pile to hold thesame in position for the engagement of the suckers.

In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheetsupport, means for transferring successive sheets from the pilecomprising a pair of sheet engaging suckers, means elevating one suckerin advance of the other to separate the edge of the topmost sheet fromthe pile, means alining said suckers in a horizontal plane above thepile to straighten the sheet, and means moving said suckers transverselyof the pile to deliver the sheets.

16., In a device of the character described, sheet engaging andtransferring means comprising a pair of vertically movable sheetengaging suckers, means for elevating one sucker in advance of theother, means alining lit) said suckers in a horizontal plane tostraighten the sheet, and means moving said suckers as a unit to deliverthe sheet.

17. In a device of the character described, sheet engaging andtransferring means comprising a pair of vertically movable sheetengaging suckers, means for elevating one sucker in advance of theother, means alining said suckers in a horizontal plane to straightenthe sheet, and means moving said suckers to deliver the sheet.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheetsupport, a carriage movable with respect thereto, a pair of suckersmounted on said carriage and movable as a unit therewith, means forengaging said suckers with a sheet, means for elevating one sucker inadvance of the other, means substantially alining said suckers in ahorizontal plane above said support to straighten the sheet, and meansmoving said carria e to deliver the sheet.

19. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheetsupport, means for automatically maintaining the top of the pile at apredetermined level, and a plurality of suction devices operating toseparate and remove successive sheets from the pile in differentdirections.

20. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheetsupport, means for maintaining the top of the pile at a predeterminedlevel, a sheet separating and delivering mechanism operating to deliverthe top sheet in one direction, a second sheet separating and deliverymechanism operating to deliver the second sheet in a differentdirection, and a third sheet separating and delivery mechanism operatingto deliver the third sheet in a third direction, and so on, saidmechanisms being operated at the same speed and delivering the severalsheets sub stantially the same linear distance.

21. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a sheet support, means for maintaining the top of thepile at a predetermined level, a plurality of successivelyoperatingsheet separating and delivery mechanisms, means for driving the severalmechanisms at substantially the same speed, and sheet receivers arrangedat substantially the same distance from the common pile for receivingthe separated sheets.

22. In a device of the character described, the combination of asignature or sheet support, means for automatically maintaining the topof the pile at a predetermined level, a plurality of sheet receiverssymmetrically arranged with respect to the pile, and a plurality ofsheet separating and delivery mechanisms for delivering successivesheets into said receivers.

23. In a device of the character described, the combination ofa sheetsupport, means for automatically maintaining the top of the pile at apredetermined level, a plurality of sheet separating and delivery means,cam operated connections for causing said means to operate on successivesheets, and a plurality of sheet receivers arranged at spaced intervalsabout the pile and receiving the separated sheets therefrom.

24. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheetsupport, means for maintaining the top of the pile at a predeterminedlevel, a plurality of successively operating sheet separating anddelivery mechanisms, means for elevating the sheet separatingand'delivery mechanisms to separate the sheet and for reciprocating saidmechanisms transversely of the pile for delivering the sheet.

25. The combination with a sheet support and a plurality of sheetreceivers disposed adjacent the sides of said sheet support, of acorresponding number of mechanisms for forwarding sheets successivelyfrom the sheet support into said receivers, a shaft for moving the sheetsupport, a ratchet wheel carried by the shaft, a feed pawl and aretaining paw]. associated with the ratchet, means for engaging the feedpawl with the ratchet to rotate said shaft and elevate the pile supportwith respect to the sheet forwarding mechanism, and means forsimultaneously disengagingthe feed pawl and the retaining pawl from theratchet to provide for lowering of the pile support with respect to.said sheet forwarding mechanism.

26. The combination with a sheet support and a plurality of sheetreceivers disposed adjacent the sides of said sheet support, of acorresponding number of mechanisms for forwarding successive sheets fromthe sheet support alternately to said receivers, a shaft for moving thesheet support, a ratchet wheel carried by the shaft, a feed pawl and aretaining pawl associated with the ratchet,

pile control means for engaging the feed pawl with the ratchet to rotatesaid shaft and elevate the pile with respect to the sheet

